You’re invited to a special birthday concert.  Bob Dylan turns 72 on May 24th and he’ll be celebrated in song at the 8^th Annual Bob Dylan Birthday Concerts on Friday, May 24^th and Saturday May 25^th, both at 7:00 pm, at the Old Town Center for the Arts in Cottonwood.

“This has become a tradition and a very popular event for the Verde Valley and Sedona,” remarked William Eaton, co-director at Old Town Center for the Arts.  “It will be a great Memorial Day weekend attraction for locals and visitors, with some fun surprises this year.”

The beloved frontman of Stephen Kellogg And The Sixers strikes out on his own for an intimate solo appearance, to include Sixers favorites as well as songs from his first solo album in over ten years, Blunderstone Rookery, set for release in Spring 2013.

Two of Arizona’s finest musicians take the stage at Old Town Center for the Arts, on
Friday, May 17th at 7:30 pm. Arizona Blues Hall of Famers Hans Olson and Stefan
George will showcase a unique combination of old blues, classic country, radical folk
music and original songs in this one night only event.

Maria Muldaur returns to OTCA with her Red Hot Bluesiana Band. Muldaur will showcase her new CD ‘Steady Love.’ Maria and the Band will also feature many of her chart topping hits including, “Midnight at the Oasis.’ Maria is best known worldwide for her ’74 mega hit “Midnight at the Oasis’ which received several Grammy nominations and enshrined her forever in the hearts of Baby Boomers everywhere.

“Hojarasca Andina” creates contemporary music on traditional Andean instruments. The three piece band switches between flutes, drum, strings, percussion and song to evoke and evolve the spirit of music.
Formed in 2007 in the artistically rich department of Antioquia in Colombia “Hojarasca Andina” explores the space between tradition and innovation utilizing pre – Hispanic instruments and the great variety of rhythms in South American folklore.

With a profound background in the interpretation of traditional songs “Hojarasca Andina” creates a vibrant living soundscape placing their compositional work as a bridge between the past and future.
An evening with “Hojarasca Andina” suspends time and transports one to the realm where music ebbs and flows with the pulse of the cosmos.

Now in its seventh year, “the Sedona Bluegrass Festival just got bigger and better, “ said Festival director Bert Harclerode. “We’re now a two-day event with multiple activities in advance of and including the June 8 and 9 festival concerts presented Creekside at Los Abrigados Resort in Sedona.

Headlining is the David Grisman FolkJazz Trio featuring guitarist Jim Hurst, and Grisman’s son Samson on bass. Grisman is one of Bluegrasses’ foremost artists who for nearly half a century, mandolinist / composer / bandleader / producer David Grisman has been a guiding force in the evolving world of acoustic music. His musical range is wide and deep, embracing many styles, genres and traditions.  An acoustic pioneer and innovator, David forged a unique personal artistic path, skillfully combining elements of the great American music/art forms of jazz and bluegrass with many international flavors and sensibilities to create his own distinctive idiom of “Dawg” music (the nickname given him by Jerry Garcia.) In doing so, he ís inspired new generations of acoustic string musicians, while creating his own niche in contemporary music.

Come enjoy an evening of music and stories with Jed Marum, performing Celtic and American music, with strong Bluegrass roots! Living Traditions Presentations is excited to present this unique performance in one of Flagstaff’s historical gems, the Riordan Mansion Visitor Center. LTP is presenting Jed Marum in collaboration with Riordan Mansion and  sponsored in part by Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society.

Jed Marum albums play regularly on Folk/Bluegrass and Celtic radio programs around the world. His music is also distributed widely on all the major MP3 services. Throughout the US each year Jed plays over 150 shows at festival, club and concert venues.

Reflected in his song writing and song selection is a keen interest in history and the passing of culture from generation to generation. Jed performs traditional songs and contemporary songs in musical style that is both Celtic and American, with strong Bluegrass roots.

Jed Marum will be performing in the intimate setting of the Riordan Mansion Visitor Center. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets in advance! A cash bar will be available with proceeds benefiting Riordan Mansion, LTP, and Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society.

Jed, in Jed’s words: “I grew up near Boston. My wife and I married at 18 and we have raised 3 sons.

As a young man I worked Construction and Excavation during the day – and played music in bars and coffeehouses at night until I was 32. I studied electronics and computers to get a better day job. I dropped music performance and worked Information Technology in the airline and then the telecom world until I was 48.

My wife and I packed up our three boys and moved from Massachusetts to Texas in 1986. When I bought a nice guitar and banjo in 1996 and 1997, I rekindled my love of music. I quit the day job in January of 2000 and I have earned my living at performing music ever since.

I play Celtic or Folk/Bluegrass festival and concert venues around the US. I have done a little bit of TV and lot of radio.

I have licensed songs and recordings to film and television that have played to international markets on PBS, History Channel and the Playboy Channel and in theaters. I have published and released 12 albums on Boston Road Records.”